Michael K. Alston

Professional Associations and Memberships

2008 Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, Publicity Committee

•Alabama State Bar

•American Health Lawyers Association

•American Journal of Trial Advocacy, National Alumni Foundation, Board of Directors, 2008-present

•Brock-Cooper American Inn of Court, 2001-present; Master, 2012-present; Executive Committee, Program Chair, 2004-2006

•Chattanooga Bar Association, President, 2005

•Chattanooga Bar Foundation, fellow

•Defense Research Institute

•Federal Bar Association, Chattanooga Chapter, Membership Committee Chair, 2011; Board of Directors, 2012-2013

•Rule 31 General Civil Mediator

•Tennessee Bar Association Fellow:

• Defense Research Institute

• Federal Bar Association, Chattanooga Chapter, Membership Committee Chair, 2011; Board of Directors, 2012-2013

• Rule 31 General Civil Mediator

• Tennessee Bar Association

Civic Involvement

• First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Ruling Elder, 2005-present; Chair of World Missions Executive Committee, Chair, 2003-present

• Presbyterian Church of America (PCA), Committee on Mission to the World, Board Secretary, 2011

Experience

• Secured a complete victory for the chief medical officer of a public hospital in a case alleging federal and state constitutional deprivations, antitrust violations, breach of contract, procurement of breach and interference with existing and prospective business relationships and conspiracy.

• Defended breach of contract action brought by former hospital chief executive officer. The matter was resolved before trial.

• Defended manufacturer of Sharps container and transporter of medical waste in a "fear of acquired immune deficiency syndrome" action filed by a physician's assistant who was pricked by a needle. The matter was resolved before trial.

• Assisted with the representation of numerous multidistrict product liability actions involving contraceptives. Some matters were dismissed on motions and others were resolved before trial.

• Defended a pharmaceutical company in a wrongful death product liability action arising from an overdose by a minor. The matter was resolved on the eve of trial.

• Defended manufacturer of animal vaccines in product liability actions. The matters were resolved before trial.

• Represented several nursing home entities in patient actions arising from injuries and/or deaths. The matters were resolved before trial.

• Defended manufacturers of surgical stools, physical therapy machines, infant intravenous (IV) needles and catheters, forceps and other medical devices in product liability actions. Some matters were dismissed on motions and others were resolved before trial.

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a pharmaceutical company against a Title VII claim for race and gender discrimination.

• Represented one of the world's largest automakers in a product liability action in which the plaintiff suffered serious and debilitating injuries from alleged carbon monoxide poisoning. The U.S. District Court ultimately granted summary judgment to the client on statute of limitations and incompetency grounds.

• Assisted with the representation of a tank car manufacturer in a complex product liability action involving a leak of arsenic acid at a rail yard. A favorable settlement was reached after months of investigation and years of litigation with the client's co-party and indemnitor. The client was ultimately voluntarily dismissed before retrial of the action.

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a large publicly owned provider of electric power on statute of limitations and contractual limitations of liability grounds.

Publications

7.17.13, SCOTUS Doubles Down on Design Defect Labeling Preemption and Rescues Generic Drug Manufacturers From the "Stop-Selling" Abyss